12:45 p.m. Program on attracting birds and butterflies to the backyard.

1 p.m. Tours of Heritage Park walking trails.

2 p.m. Lecture on Oconee County's native plants.

Well some months back, Mary Mellein and Candace Barber wanted that kind of weekend.

Barber wanted to set up a community Fun Day at Heritage Park and Mellein was interested in rejuvenating an environmental awareness day. Last year in April the weather was so bad that high winds blew display items clean across U.S. Highway 441.

So they took out a Farmer's Almanac. They found May 12.

''We looked and that day was supposed to be clear and pretty,'' said Barber, who supervises special projects for Oconee County.

So Heritage Park Fun Day was set for this Saturday. The event kicks off at 10 a.m. and ends at 3 p.m. and everyone is invited.

And there's all kind of events suited for the youngsters and adults.

Mellein, a member of the county's Clean and Beautiful Commission, lined up events for Oconee Environmental Awareness.

The fun day events include a moon walk, face painting, baby livestock, pony rides, music, and trucks including army, dump and fire vehicles. Volunteers from Oconee High's Century 21st Leaders will help out in various capacities.

''We want to get people out to Heritage Park,'' Barber said. ''We wanted to give something back to the community and pretty much all the events will be free except the pony rides.''

Barber said she and recreation director Jone Taylor began planning the event, then joined with the Clean and Beautiful Commission for a joint venture.

''It's Mother's Day weekend and it might be something they could do with their mothers,'' she suggested.

This article published in the Athens Banner-Herald on Wednesday, May 9, 2001.